A big problem for Surface RT, the version of the tablet that runs on ARM-based chips instead of Intel, is that it didn't have Outlook available at launch, Huang said.

"It is the killer app for Windows," Huang said. "Now we're going to bring it with the second-generation Surface. We're working really hard on it, and we hope that it's going to be a big success."

It has long been believed that Microsoft is developing new Surfaces, including a possible version with a smaller screen. Qualcomm and Nvidia were believed to be the chip suppliers for the Surface RT versions, though neither company had confirmed that fact.

About the author

Shara Tibken is a senior writer for CNET focused on Samsung and Apple. She previously wrote for Dow Jones Newswires and the Wall Street Journal. She's a native Midwesterner who still prefers "pop" over "soda."
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